Emergency Plan For Kerikeri And Waipapa

An operational community response plan for Civil Defence emergencies is now in place for residents in the Kerikeri and Waipapa area.

Community response plans are designed to enable individual communities to become self-sufficient in the event of an emergency which leaves an area temporarily isolated from external support services.

The Kerikeri/Waipapa plan is the 23rd community response plan the Far North District Council has helped communities in the district to develop.

It is now helping Waima residents develop an emergency plan for their area.

Far North Civil Defence Co-ordinator Bill Hutchinson says the Kerikeri/Waipapa plan focuses on high-risk incidents, such as flooding and tsunami, and the welfare needs the community might have in such emergencies.

A Kerikeri Civil Defence Response Group led by Jim and Gail Boyd will administer the plan, reviewing it annually to keep pace with changes in personnel and contact details.

Mr Hutchinson says the council and those developing the Kerikeri/Waipapa plan have tried to make it simple and easy to understand.

The plan relies on the use of existing communication networks, such as telephones and radio stations, as early warning systems.

It also includes tsunami impact maps for the Kerikeri Inlet.

Copies of the plan are available on request from the council.